Hers(52)

As much as Sammy hated to admit it, what Brock had done at the barbeque had helped her. Sammy knew she was stronger than she’d thought, and she would fight if anything came at her like Greg did ever again.

Sammy asked Slater and Brock to work on her self-defense moves. She was determined to never be the victim again. Slater or Brock drove her to her therapy, and twice now they had come and supported her at her group therapy. Slowly she was starting to settle in and come out of her cocoon.

Tonight they were having date night. It was her turn to choose where they went, and Sammy had chosen ice skating. She knew the boys weren’t happy with her choice, but Sammy didn’t care. She’d endured barbeques, football matches, car rallies, and thriller movies, so tonight she was going to the ice skating rink and having fun.

Sammy had spent the day looking at jobs. She was ready to get back to childcare full time. Her men never left her alone. They said until Greg was found and either killed or put back where he belonged, they weren’t leaving her alone. Brock had taken a couple of days off here and there, today included, but next week he would make up for the time as he was working overtime.

Slater was due home any minute. Once he was changed they would go out to date night. The doorbell rang, bing-bonging through the house. Brock, who sat next to her as she sat with her laptop and looked through jobs while they waited for Slater, kissed her cheek and got up to answer the door.

Sammy was surprised when Gwen came in with Matty in Brock’s arms bouncing up and down as Matty babbled. “Mummy took me to the fire station today. And guess what? Two big guys named Philip and John showed us everything. I even gotsta hold the big hose that water comes out of. How cool, huh?”

Matty was so adorable. The look on Brock’s face was priceless as he tried to keep the squirming boy in his arms and not drop him. The love in his eyes for the boy shone through, and there was no mistaking what this boy meant to him.

“That’s awesome, buddy. They were nice to you, were they?”

“Oh yeah, Uncle Brock. Do youz know that they said Mummy is very pretty and they like her a lot.”

“Really.” Brock set him down next to her, and Matty bounced up and down.

Sammy had met Matty a couple of times before when she’d visited Gwen. He was a gorgeous, vibrant, four year old boy.

“Aha. They said they were going puppy shopping next week, and I could go and choose their doggie.”

Sammy laughed as Brock rolled his eyes and shot Gwen an “I can’t believe you let them say that to him” look. “What a bribe. Matty will love them for life,” he muttered.

Gwen shrugged and didn’t look at her brother. “I broke the engagement off. I’m giving Philip and John a chance.” Gwen bit her lip. “Mum doesn’t know. She’s too busy with Susie’s and Sandy’s babies.” Gwen sighed. “Little Abby changed to a bear cub yesterday. Sandy is horrified. She thought she had a lot more time before they could change. Zack and Jake told her the babies wouldn’t change for months. They were right. They shouldn’t be able to, but for Abby and even Emily to be able to change means they’re strong alpha bears. Mum is ecstatic. She’s bragging to everyone.”

Sammy couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “No way, the babies aren’t even three months old. Why didn’t Sandy call me? I would have come around and…” Crap. She had no idea what she would have said or done to help Sandy.

Gwen smiled sadly. “Yeah, she probably didn’t call you because you couldn’t have helped. Mum is happy to help. Mum and Dad are lapping up having cubs.”

Sammy felt bad. She knew Matty was human and couldn’t shift. Sammy knew how Adele felt about it, too.

Gwen shook herself like she was shaking off bad thoughts. “Look, I can find a babysitter if you say no. I know what I’m going to ask is last minute, but … Mum can’t look after him because then she’d find out and … and…” Gwen was getting herself all worked up.

Sammy stood and hugged Gwen. “You don’t even have to ask. I would love to look after Matty.” Sammy let go of Gwen and turned to Matty, who was jumping on the sofa and all over Brock. “Would you like to come over and play with me, Uncle Brock, and Slater? Maybe you could sleep over and play Skylanders all night.”

Matty’s little brown eyes lit up, and he squealed. “Yes. Yes. I’ll stay tonight and kick Uncle Brock’s butt.”

Sammy laughed. “Not tonight, but tomorrow, or the next day would be awesome.”

His little fist pumped in the air as he said, “Oh yeah.” Then Matty launched himself into Sammy’s arms.